The best terraces in Milan where you can enjoy an exclusive daytime or evening cocktail

Milan is a city in constant movement, but never before had it changed as it has countless times over the last decade, so much so that its skyline has undergone a real revolution. Now it is no longer only the famous Madonnina that stands on the roofs of the city.

Martini Terrace

A true staple! Inaugurated in 1958 in Piazza Armando Diaz, in 60 years it has not lost a bit of its irresistible charm. Its minimalist design characterised by wood, glass and metal finishes is enriched by the famous red sofas reminiscent of the Martini logo. Because this is its kingdom, but it is also the kingdom of many other excellent cocktails, perfect for an aperitif overlooking the Duomo, Torre Velasca and Castello Sforzesco, three other timeless icons of this city.

​Gallia Terrace

We now move to Piazza Duca d'Aosta and enter one of the most historic and luxurious hotels in Milan (the Excelsior Hotel Gallia) and climb up to the seventh floor. Here we are on the Gallia Terrace, undoubtedly one of the most elegant in the city. With an essential design, furniture by Fendi Outdoor, Knoll and Varaschin, and a view that includes the imposing complex of the Central Station, but also the very recent and ritzy area of Porta Nuova.

Drinks are taken care of by a team of brilliant mixologists and can be served together with small-sized versions of the dishes on the menu. It's hard to leave Gallia's Terrace when you’re done drinking the cocktail! Good thing you can be escorted to the adjacent wing dedicated to the restaurant and enjoy a 5-star dinner.

Ceresio 7

We are located in the Monumental area of the city, at the top of the historic Enel building, an imposing construction from the 1930s now home to the fashion brand Dsquared². And it was the genius of the two Canadian designers Dean and Dan Caten who included this venue, inaugurated in 2013, in their project, and made it one of the trendiest and most exclusive places in the city.

This is a unique place, full of greenery and a New York style vibe that expands into two beautiful terraces with swimming pool, furnished with elegant sofas. From 6.30b pm to 9 pm, Ceresio 7 offers exquisite cocktails accompanied by finger food served at the table. A view by the pool that overlooks the city in this way is not very common in a city like Milan and this is already a very good reason not to miss a visit.

​Triennale Terrace

The Triennale Terrace in Viale Alemagna 6 is not only home to an exceptional 1-Michelin Star restaurant, "Osteria con vista", it is also the perfect place for an aperitif at the end of the day. Perfect for at least three reasons: it's the ideal place to have a drink after a designer trip to the Triennale, one of the most interesting museums in the city, which lies right at the top of its Palazzo dell'Arte; it enjoys a beautiful and incredibly relaxing view over the entire Parco Sempione, the most beautiful park of the city, and especially the cocktail menu (here called "miscugli") of Luis Hidalgo, Venezuelan mixologist, which is nothing short of exceptional! The aperitif is served in the traditional way with olives, peanuts and small finger food and the experience is truly... one to be repeated!

​Lagare Rooftop Bar

The Lagare Rooftop Bar in via Giovanni Battista Pirelli 20 is the ideal place to admire all the "new Milan" that extends from Piazza Gae Aulenti to Bosco Verticale, one of the most innovative buildings in Milan.

It is located on the roof of the Hotel Lagare and is a sort of huge open space under the open sky. In addition to the counter and sofas, it features a space dedicated to the DJ set for Wednesday and Friday evenings, which are the most popular along with the weekend nights and where, not infrequently, you can attend jazz concerts and live music.

Among the cocktails we recommend their specialty, the Sirena or “Siren”. It is a drink based on Campari, ancient formula Carpano, Ramazzotti, egg white whipped with Amaretto di Saronno, garnished with rosemary and a slice of orange. Simply wonderful!

​Aperol Terrace

The Aperol Terrace is a must for the Milanese aperitif. Located on the first floor of the Duomo Market, it is not so famous for its height as it is for its view. It literally overlooks the symbolic square of the city and embraces it all around.

Designed by designer Antonio Piciulo, it is rich in orange elements, just like the logo of the famous alcoholic beverage from which it takes its name. So where else would you want to order a Spritz Aperol if not here? The cocktail, now known almost all over the world, is accompanied by small tapas and a bag of crispy and delicious homemade chips. It is the ideal place after a day of shopping in the adjacent streets or to meet your friends at the end of a day's work.

Our tips:

Taste a Negroni Sbagliato at least once, a cocktail invented in Milan at the end of the 1960s by Mirko Stocchetto, a bartender of Bar Basso, a historic place (but on the ground floor!) of the city. This is a variant of Negroni made with sparkling brut instead of gin. The sparkling wine makes it lighter and therefore perfect as an aperitif!

Treat yourself to a full day of shopping before the aperitif: tired and satisfied at the end of your day, it will be an even more unique experience. Which stores would we recommend? It would be impossible for us to even only list the best! Lose yourself in the streets of the city centre and don’t worry: you are in one of the most fashionable cities in the world!

Have a local explain what an aperitif represents for him, because it is much more than a ritual; it’s by all means a distinctive trait of the city, which since the war has gone through different stages, from the sumptuous 1980s of the "Milan to drink" and the happy-hour binges to return to a more minimal practice and why not, often a gourmet one.